FELLGUARD

CALIFORNIAN: Murrieta's Fellguard invading Illinois

By ERIKA SOROCCO - For The Californian | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 8:02 PM PDT 8

For years Murrieta's Jake Parker, Dillon Baker, Matt Murrow, and Cameron Lucker ---- the quartet of musicians who make up the band Fellguard ---- have been mainstay on the music scene throughout Southwest Riverside County. The band's staying power is an achievement they believe stems from the fact that they are always looking for ways to "put a new twist on an old-school metal sound."

So now, having conquered their hometown, it's no surprise that they crave a new challenge ---- conquering the Windy City with a performance at the Cornerstone Festival.

"We've been wanting to play the Cornerstone Festival for the last couple of years, but it never worked out; so we are more than excited to play there this year," said Parker in an interview before the show on June 30. "This is a big festival and great opportunity for us."

Fellguard has seen numerous successes over the years, and have managed to keep people interested in following their burgeoning career due to a growing love of listeners who crave "quality metal music with real singing." They build a connection with their fans which has made and kept them a powerful force in the local music scene. Even after a struggle with locating a drummer with the ability and skill to unite them once and for all.

"We just scored with the addition of our new drummer, Cameron Lucker, formerly of the local band 15 North," Dillon Baker said. "We've been auditioning drummers for some time and no one seemed to fit ---- finally we got a hold of Cameron, and we knew the first time we jammed with him that we wanted him in the band."

And Cameron came just in time for the so-called Illinois invasion; a performance that will force the guys to travel alongside one another to reach their musical destination.

"It's always cool when a band has to travel together to do a show out of state," Lucker said. "There is definitely an energy that goes along with doing a big festival like Cornerstone. Plus, it will only be our second gig together since I joined the band, so we are planning on doing it up big ---- putting on a great show."

Fellguard played on the Sanctuary Stage, an opportunity bestowed upon them thanks to a little assistance from Tina, the manager for fellow local band Souljourners. Tina was the one who put the quartet in touch with Gary Ireton, and the rest, as they say, is history. And only the beginning of Fellguard's takeover.

"We actually have a lot of fans in the middle of the country and overseas," Baker said. "Southern California is very saturated with bands in general, so we're happy we've been able to thrive here, but we've gotten a lot of great response about our music from people across the country and overseas as well. We are more than ready to get out there and do shows wherever we can, and maybe the Cornerstone Festival will be a chance for some of those fans to catch us live."

While the guys divulge that, as long as they are armed with their iPhone's and food, traveling will be a breeze. But it's what awaits them at their destination that truly thrills all four of them equally: performances by some of their favorite artists. The Devil Wears Prada, Red, Solace the Day, Underoath, Relient K, Theocracy, Conspiracy of Thought, The Fold, and many more will all take the stage at some point during the festival.

But Murrow was a bit more interested in a few bonus features the event will be boasting.

"Traa Daniels from P.O.D. is also the CEO of Ryot Entertainment, and he is hosting seminars with cool information about the music business," Murrow said. "Also, Los Lonely Boys is performing the same night we are on a different stage, so we are going to check out their show, and of course, Souljourners always brings it."

While it sounds like Fellguard lead the life of true rock stars, they are as normal and down-to-earth as they come. Both Murrow and Parker just finished their freshman year of college ---- Parker at Palomar College and Murrow at Mt. San Jacinto College ---- while Baker and Lucker will begin their freshman year of college this fal. Baker will go to the University of Riverside and Lucker at Riverside Community College.

"Other than Cameron and Matt being chased by girls every once in awhile we've been able to go about our normal lives," Parker said. "It's cool when people recognize you."

Baker added, "Jake gets people coming up to him a lot and telling him that they are fans of Fellguard's. We've gotten some good advice from some pretty big people in the music business. They've all basically said to keep a good head on your shoulders, don't get a big ego, it's a blessing to have talent, and to definitely have a plan B. So we know that college is important. If we have to take some time off to do a big tour we would for sure, but we will keep working on getting a college education."

Erika Sorocco writes a monthly local music column for Preview. She can be reached at calpreview@californian.com. - The Californian

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Some musicians prefer studio work to live performances, others like the sound of a live audience screaming for more. Murrieta-based band, Fellguard, is partial to a little of both.

"What makes Fellguard unique is that we want to write good, quality rock music," vocalist Jake Parker said. "We are not just some guys wanting to be rock stars. We care about the music we make, and we want to give our audience great metal. We feel like this kind of music is not easy to find anymore. Our music is hard-rocking, but with a melodic guitar sound."

Made up of Murrieta's Parker, Dillon Baker, Matt Murrow and Canyon Hills' Ben Lounsbury, Fellguard found their musical niche through a series of tragedies and triumphs ---- from friendships, to failed drummers ---- and everything in between.

"(Baker) and I have known each other since birth, since our father's are both musicians, and have been friends for over 20 years," Parker said. "We have jammed together for years. (Murrow) and I have been friends for a long time, so when he started playing bass, I knew that he would be a perfect addition to Fellguard. He has great stage presence, and helps bring the crowd alive. I met (Lounsbury) in a high school church worship band that we both perform in. After discovering that we had the same taste in music, I knew he had to be a part of Fellguard. Ben's high energy drumming skills brought the band to the next level."

Fellguard plays Saturday at the Temecula Community Recreation Center in Temecula with My Last Revelation, Far From Eternity, and J. Mitchell. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show is open to all ages.

"We've been trying to get off the ground for awhile, but it seems like things are falling into place now," Parker said. "If it's meant to be for us it will happen. But we are always going to be writing and playing great, quality metal."

Citing bands such as Megadeth, Stryper, Iron Maiden, Dio, Bruce Dickinson, Queensryche, and Hammerfall as influences, Fellguard are adamant about the fact that they steer clear of vulgarity, and keep their music as clean as possible. They feel that this, paired with their performance, are two of the reasons that they recently took home the grand prize at the 2007 City of Murrieta Battle of the Bands.

But even with the recent win under their belts, Fellguard continually tries to improve its sound, and hope that their effort will translate to the audience at their upcoming performance.

"People can expect to see some quality rock 'n' roll," Parker said. "Our music is contagious, and we want to give a high energy performance."

Fellguard with My Last Revelation, Far From Eternity and J. Mitchell

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Temecula Community Recreation Center, 30875 Rancho Vista Road, Temecula

Tickets: $8 presale; $10 at the door - The Californian by Erika Sorocco